Costa Rica, best tourist destination in 2011

The American company "Apple Vacations" granted to Costa Rica the award for best tourist destination in 2011. For 42 years, Apple Vacations has been involved with market tour operators.  The winner of the award, "Crystal Apple Award for Best Destination 2011", was announced during Apple Vacations' 24th Annual Trade Show in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.  This selection was based on the results of surveys measuring hundreds of customers' satisfaction and likelihood to recommend Costa Rica as a destination to friends and family.  This award also recognizes the sustainability of Costa Rica that seeks a balance between environment and society, which distinguishes it from other destinations.

Costa Rica is truly a beautiful country to enjoy, either on vacations or to live permanently. Its beaches, its vegetation, everything is a spectacular setting that you cannot help but to enjoy. In this amazing country, there are many protected areas, wildlife refuges, marine parks, volcanoes, etc. that makes you not want to leave.

Marine Parks Care

There is a multi-national effort to professionalize staff that work in marine areas, which in the case of Costa Rica, includes 14,282 square kilometers.

There are twenty-one students in total enrolled in the program; 14 Costa Ricans, 5 Colombians and 2 Panamanian who are trained in navigation, boat maintenance, surveillance, rescue and environmental crimes, by the National Academy Coast Guard. The course consists of eight modules covering marine sciences, control and surveillance strategies, maintenance of outboard motors, environmental law, marine biology, loading, first aid, rescue and water safety, and tourism management in protected marine areas.  Participants begin their day at 5 a.m. with physical training.  They then combine their theoretical classroom knowledge with practice.  In the evening, they receive keynote addresses on drug trafficking, trawling, marine management, global warming and even participate in film forums that promote exchanges of experience amongst the staff.

At the end of the course, participants will receive two certificates: one by the University for International Cooperation (UCI) and one delivered by the International Red Cross training in marine rescue and first aid.

"In a formal sense, this is the first generation of Marine Park Rangers," said Jose Rodriguez, coordinator of the course, adding that the idea is to make the course a year. Thus, in five years, these three countries will have 50 professionals trained in the management of marine areas helping preserve our beautiful marine area.